| [Note: This paper contains images which may be | | | | ought to come from our hearts.The human touch, |
| seen as originally published at our website]The | | | | affectionately given, also help to anchor or ground |
| lines on the palms of the hands are believed in the | | | | the consciousness of those who are |
| occult science of palmistry to designate a person's | | | | psychologically disturbed to the physical plane and |
| character and changing fate. In all systems of | | | | prevent hallucinations from taking place. Sensory |
| palmistry--Chinese, Hindu, and Western, certain | | | | input through the tactile sense is vital for a |
| portions of the hand and fingers represent the | | | | balanced mind. Adults as well as children require it |
| celestial bodies--the sun, moon, and planets. | | | | to maintain sanity.The handshake or a pat on the |
| Palmistry tells us that the hands come in various | | | | back from a friend is always reassuring--especially |
| shapes: "square," "conical," "spatula," etc; each | | | | when it comes from one's Guru. In a stressful |
| shape with its own special meaning. The fingers | | | | period of life a massaging hand on the shoulder |
| likewise come in assorted sizes hinting of the | | | | does wonders to relieve loved ones of tension |
| owner's personal psychological constitution. Lines | | | | and cause them to relax. The touch is truly |
| or marks are to be found on the palms of the | | | | magical when we consider how a mother |
| hand, and throughout life these are constantly | | | | comforts her innocent babe with the touch of |
| changing in formation. Why lines appear in the | | | | love. In this respect if animals had hands they |
| hands and may reveal a person's character and | | | | would certainly use them to express affection |
| probable future is a mystery that remains to be | | | | just as humans do. Lacking them, snouts and |
| solved. One theory is that the lines are caused by | | | | beaks are employed instead. Some of course, are |
| nervous energy or fluid coursing through the | | | | able to use their cute and sometimes deadly |
| physical body leaving its imprint, its indelible marks | | | | paws.In many cultures the handshake as a |
| on the sensitive, impressible palms of the hands. It | | | | traditional custom originated with the intention of |
| is believed that the nature and strength of the | | | | showing that no weapons were held concealed in |
| marks are determined by the intensity of this | | | | the hand and that the two persons involved in the |
| vital-fluid which in turn is caused by the inherent | | | | handshake did so in peace and friendship. Hands |
| qualities of the indwelling soul. The regulator of this | | | | behind the back or hidden in pockets have always |
| nervous-energy appears to be the soul-impressed | | | | been regarded with suspicion. To the |
| brain.To explain this in another way: first, the soul | | | | knowledgeable, the handshake reveals a lot about |
| influences the brain with its innate characteristics, | | | | a person's characteristics. The firm, strong grip |
| its character, then the brain releases and | | | | often indicates someone who is willful, determined, |
| regulates the nerve-energy flowing through the | | | | and disciplined--all leadership qualities. Weak grips |
| body which is recorded on the sensitive portion of | | | | naturally denote weak natures. Gentleness, |
| the hands appearing as lines and identifiable marks. | | | | enthusiasm, energy, clumsiness, self-confidence, |
| This theory is logical but it does not explicitly | | | | inferiority complexes, etc.--all these may be |
| explain how one's "fate" may be indicated by the | | | | sensed by the power of the grip, the vigor in |
| etches made upon the palms of the hands. | | | | which the hand is shaken, the length of time in |
| Perhaps we could explain this simply by saying | | | | which the hand is held, and the jerks and |
| that one's character, beliefs, and attitudes | | | | movements that it makes.Hands are applied for |
| determine to a large extent one's so-called fate, | | | | various purposes in daily life. They are used for |
| and so by knowing a subject's psychic make-up it | | | | eating, cleansing, working, creating, worshipping |
| is possible to know his or her probable future. For | | | | and expressing oneself. Man instinctively clasps his |
| instance, if a subject has a slothful character, we | | | | hands in prayer--a very significant mudra that has |
| could predict that he or she would experience | | | | the power to intensify inherent energies and may |
| financial problems and poor health. This principle is | | | | cause precipitations to take place on the physical |
| based upon the Law of Cause and Effect and is | | | | plane.Ever since bygone days, hands have been |
| nothing mysterious.Terence Dukes in his book, | | | | used as a calculating device. The simple counting |
| "Chinese Hand Analysis," tells us that the hands | | | | of the fingers was a universal method applied in |
| may be analyzed at different levels, not only | | | | primitive times. Our most used modern method |
| from its physical aspects, but from its psychic | | | | of computation utilizes the base of 10. This is |
| constitution as well:"Because of the principle (Li) of | | | | derived from the ancient usage of the ten |
| transmutative levels, it also became possible to | | | | finger-digits in calculations. Complex systems of |
| interpret a hand from its energy flow rather than | | | | counting have been devised using the appendages |
| its physical attributes, and the 'psychic' element | | | | of the hand. Javanese mystics, for instance, have |
| (as we would call it today) became accepted. The | | | | unique formulas to calculate certain life's cycles |
| interpretation would differ depending on the level | | | | using only their fingers. Hand postures are |
| of paradigmatic and hermeneutical ability of the | | | | sometimes used to represent numbers. These |
| analyst. From observed hand patterns, a Taoist | | | | manual gestures for representing numeration |
| analyst may be able to tell that you have rebuilt | | | | have been chiefly employed in the past by the |
| your home, a Chen-Yen Buddhist that your | | | | Romans and Greeks.There are many functions of |
| grandmother's spirit was watching over you, and | | | | the hand that may not be replaced by robotics. |
| a Buddhist-cum-Taoist that your liver was | | | | No mechanical hand may ever offer the same |
| overworking! The well-trained cheirologist could tell | | | | dexterity, sensitivity, grace, and versatility as a |
| you all three and more, for such training implies | | | | natural hand would. It took millions of years for |
| trans-level understanding and not just prognostic | | | | man's hands to evolve to its present state of |
| ability."Whether a coincidence or not, the palms | | | | perfection. Man may create machines to do the |
| show a significant number. The figure nineteen in | | | | tasks normally done by his hands, but he will |
| Arabic numerals may be found etched on them. | | | | never replace them completely by his inventions, |
| Using the terminology of palmistry, the figure | | | | just as no supercomputer would ever match the |
| consists of the "life," "heart," and "head" lines. | | | | intricacy of the human brain--not for a long time |
| Nineteen is definitely esoteric being one of the | | | | yet anyway.Hands are used to communicate and |
| two numbers discovered thus far with which the | | | | reveal thoughts. We often use all sorts of |
| Quran, the holy book of Islam is structured.There | | | | gestures to emphasize or stress certain words, |
| are several million nerve cells on each fingertip and | | | | ideas and feelings that we wish to convey or |
| these are extremely delicate. The surface of | | | | project outwards. This is normally done |
| these fingertips are covered by ridges called | | | | unconsciously without any willful intent, executed |
| rugae, which are developed in the fetus during | | | | through subconscious impulses; at times willfully, |
| pregnancy as early as the eighteenth week. The | | | | as for instance, the sign of hunger or thirst, or a |
| formation of these ridges do not change in life | | | | "come here!" hand movement. A whole |
| and remains until death. They cannot be | | | | psychological branch of study has developed out |
| obliterated by any process. Accidents may efface | | | | of these gestures. As part of the study of "Body |
| them, but as the skin recovers, the original | | | | language," hand gestures have become an |
| pattern appears once again.That each individual | | | | important subject in understanding the operations |
| has a different set of fingerprints were observed | | | | of the human psyche and human behavior.Sign |
| by ancient people and they utilized this to identify | | | | language uses the media of the hands in order to |
| themselves to others. For instance, the ancient | | | | communicate. When forced to interact with |
| Assyrians and Chinese made use of fingerprints | | | | someone speaking a different language we often |
| to sign legal documents in the same manner that | | | | make use of signs. The American Indians, for |
| we use signatures. Technically, the study of the | | | | instance, developed their own forms of sign |
| well-defined patterns of ridges on the fingertips is | | | | languages to communicate with tribes not of their |
| known as dermatoglyphics.It is believed that the | | | | own native tongue. Things of nature, ideas, |
| modern study of dermatoglyphia or fingerprints | | | | emotions, and sensations all have their particular |
| were first conducted by the Czech physiologist | | | | hand-sign. The gestures that the American Indians |
| Johannes Evengelista Purkinje in the 19th century. | | | | possessed were elaborate enough to carry-out a |
| Some time later, the British scientist Sir Francis | | | | detailed non-verbal conversation. Other races or |
| Galton proposed the use of fingerprints for | | | | cultures have also developed their own sign |
| identification purposes as did his ancient | | | | languages such as to be found in certain cultural |
| predecessors. Modern fingerprinting was first | | | | groups in Assam, Eastern India, and of the |
| pragmatically implemented by British police officer | | | | Aborigines in Australia. In modern times manual |
| Sir Edward Richard Henry (1857-1930) in Bengal, | | | | gestures have been developed for the deaf.Aside |
| India in the 1890s to identify criminals.What is the | | | | from lip-reading, the deaf are often taught to |
| occult explanation of the unique patterns of our | | | | communicate through definite forms, signs or |
| finger ridges? As understood metaphysically, | | | | poses of the hand. In this communications |
| physical man is an expression of the Soul. | | | | system, there are basically two types of signs: |
| Patterns upon fingertips are caused by the Higher | | | | natural signs and systematic signs. Natural signs |
| Self, or the Ego stamping its identity upon the | | | | stand for objects and ideas whereas systematic |
| tissues of the body by way of the blood and | | | | signs stand for word-by-word or letter-by-letter |
| forming ridge patterns to be found nowhere else | | | | renderings of the written language.Among the |
| in the world. Since each person has his or her own | | | | disabled, the blind likewise benefit from their hands |
| Ego, unlike animals, each individual is unique, | | | | by reading words in Braille. In contemporary times, |
| "one-of-a-kind," like a facet of a cut diamond that | | | | the hands are used extensively in the art and |
| has its own effulgent glory. As we have said | | | | science of speed reading by those who seek to |
| previously, the hands are reflective of man's inner | | | | augment and optimize the volume of their reading |
| being. The uniqueness of the Soul may be seen in | | | | input and comprehension ability.Sign language has |
| its shadow, the physical body, together with its | | | | also been successfully used to communicate with |
| micro-components.The tactile sense is believed to | | | | animals--with the anthropoids in particular. It has |
| be the most complex of the five senses. It is said | | | | been observed by researchers that apes have a |
| to possess at least eleven distinct sub-senses. | | | | large capacity to memorize and perhaps |
| There are millions of sensory end organs in the | | | | understand hundreds of signs representing |
| skin. There are sensory detectors of cold, heat, | | | | abstract concepts.The sensitivity of the fingers of |
| pain, texture, pressure, etc. These senses work | | | | the hands may be increased in order to sense |
| through the central nervous system. There are | | | | colors and energies as alluded to above. |
| also subtle senses of the skin related to the | | | | Psychometry, for instance, is the occult art of |
| autonomic or sympathetic nervous system. | | | | reading energies in objects so as to uncover their |
| These subtle senses capture energies vibrating | | | | personal history. This is especially done through |
| beyond the energy-spectrum perceptible to the | | | | the media of the hands. Impressions are received |
| five senses. The occasional twitching of the eyes, | | | | through the autonomic nervous receptors in the |
| ears, and various parts of the body that have | | | | hands and conveyed to the brain for translation |
| time immemorial been attributed by occultists to | | | | into images, thoughts and feelings. In yoga |
| metaphysical forces are actually true in fact. The | | | | teachings, the term sparsha (lit. "touch") denotes |
| subtle senses of the skin are ultra sensitive to | | | | superperception of the tactile sense, of which |
| thought and emotional force emission whether | | | | development is a by-product of meditation.Hands |
| from an internal or an external source. The belief | | | | are often used in healing. Perhaps one of the |
| that when the right eye twitches means that | | | | most famous mystical brotherhoods of the past |
| "someone is thinking of you," reveals a basic | | | | to apply the life energy emanating from the |
| occult truth often derided by skeptics.The | | | | hands therapeutically were the Rosicrucians. The |
| sensitivity of our skin differ in the various parts of | | | | members of this spiritual organization practiced |
| our body. The fingertips and mucous membranes, | | | | the "laying-of-hands" like their ancient |
| as an example, are more sensitive than most | | | | counterparts, the Therapeutae in Egypt and the |
| parts of the physical structure. According to | | | | Essenes that lived along the shores of the Dead |
| embryologists, our skin is sensitive to light and is | | | | Sea. In past centuries, western occultists like |
| convertible to sight receptors. They explain that | | | | Paracelsus and Anton Mesmer similarly made use |
| small cells, called ocelli, are to be found all over the | | | | of this etheric nerve-energy emanating from the |
| skin, and that these cells resemble miniature eyes. | | | | hands for healing purposes, the latter calling it |
| Among the body parts that are sensitive to light | | | | "animal magnetism." Ancient Greeks called people |
| are the forehead, chest, cheeks, temples, and | | | | who healed with the power of their hands, |
| hands. It is no wonder that some people are said | | | | "cheirourgos," meaning "hand-workers." The word |
| to have the unusual ability to sense colors or | | | | "surgeon" is derived from this Greek term. The |
| even "read" words through their fingertips.There is | | | | ancient Egyptians believed that the hands |
| an amazing soothing power in the hands. We | | | | emanated a force filled with healing and life-giving |
| often use it to comfort and delight another by | | | | properties. They called this force sa-ankh. Other |
| touching, caressing, and stroking. We please and | | | | ancient cultures called this power by various |
| tease our loved ones with our playful fingers. In | | | | names. That man emanate energy from the |
| romance the touch of the hand is as essential as | | | | hands is the reason why some individuals are said |
| the kiss. In Act II, Scene II of "Romeo and Juliet," | | | | to have "green thumbs," meaning that plants are |
| a famous Shakespearean play, the young Romeo | | | | sympathetic to such persons and the life-giving |
| while admiring Juliet from afar wishes that he | | | | force that they radiate and respond by growing |
| were a glove on her hand caressing her | | | | healthy foliage and producing abundant fruits. |
| cheek:"See how she leans her cheek upon her | | | | Everyone emanates magnetic rays from their |
| hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, That | | | | hands and fingertips. Healers naturally have a |
| I might touch that cheek!"Human hands are | | | | much more powerful flow.That power flows from |
| fascinating, enchanting and evocative. They often | | | | the palms is recognized by the monks and priests |
| fill us with wonder with their beautiful or repulsive | | | | of Buddhists monasteries in China in past |
| appearance. The pioneer of modern western | | | | centuries. Mainly used in therapeutics and the |
| palmistry, d'Arpentingny, expresses it | | | | martial arts, "the Buddha Palm" as it is called, has |
| eloquently:"there are hands which naturally attract | | | | found its way to our modern world and into the |
| us, and there are hands which excite in us | | | | Occident.Hands may be luminescent under the |
| repulsion. I have seen hands which seemed | | | | right conditions. The Jews have observed that the |
| covered with eyes, so sagacious and so | | | | hands of holy people at prayer often become |
| penetrating was their experience. Some, like those | | | | incandescent; Christians likewise believe that the |
| of the sphinx, suggest an idea of mystery; some | | | | fingertips of saints often shoot forth rays of |
| betray recklessness and strength, combined with | | | | light.It is proven with modern Kirlian and |
| activity of body, others again indicate laziness and | | | | high-frequency photography that the hands and |
| cunning."Doctors and scientists have recorded the | | | | physical body emits energy. These modern |
| fact that the lack of touch--of fondling, petting, | | | | devices reveal indubitably in a concrete manner |
| and caressing of babies and children cause them | | | | how we are surrounded by our own personal |
| to suffer psychologically and physically--their | | | | bioluminescent magnetic-field that otherwise may |
| emotional condition being affected even in their | | | | only be seen through etheric sight.The human |
| adult years. Children are most vital and healthy | | | | aura is generally heterogeneous in its various |
| when exposed to an affectionate dose of touch. | | | | layers and sections. Each part of the body |
| Generally, children who receive more hugs from | | | | emanates a different force in accord with its |
| their parents grow taller and more intelligent than | | | | state of vigor and vitality. The diverse energies of |
| those who do not. Autistic children who are | | | | Man's aura, or bio-magnetic field may be detected |
| disturbed, withdrawn, and frightened respond to | | | | through the hands. Negative, sickly, or congested |
| hugs and caresses more readily than they do to | | | | energies in the aura may be sensed by the |
| any cold clinical treatments. The loving touch is | | | | trained hands through the sensations of density, |
| therapeutic and can be more potent than pranic | | | | heat, coolness, electrical tingling, etc. In conjunction |
| or Reiki healing treatments that are apathetically | | | | with this, the hands are also used to clear or |
| and mechanically given.We often wonder why | | | | balance energies in the aura. Hands are certainly |
| without the touch of loving hands we find our | | | | great instruments used in most alternative |
| lives empty, meaningless, and burdensome. We | | | | therapies.Why some are left-handed and not |
| seem to lose a sense of purpose, enthusiasm, | | | | right-handed may seem a mystery to some. |
| and self-motivation. Metaphysics has an | | | | There are those who believe that this is inherited; |
| explanation: energy when imbued with a certain | | | | however, this cannot be conclusively proved. A |
| characteristic becomes a force that when emitted | | | | plausible answer from the metaphysical point of |
| from a person may cause changes in the ambient | | | | view, is that this is a karmic habit and is related to |
| surroundings. When such a force is tinged with the | | | | a past life injury upon the major hand. |
| power of love and affection it uplifts all that it | | | | Incapacitated in the use of the right hand, the soul |
| comes into contact with. Human beings, animals, | | | | intelligence was forced to apply the minor hand in |
| and even objects that receive such a force are | | | | daily activities. This became habitual and was later |
| transformed and ennobled. This is the reason why | | | | carried over to a future incarnation where it still |
| it is always preferable to return love for hatred, | | | | remained for the soul the hand of major use. |
| and affection for anger. Whatever we touch | | | | |